A Husband's Love for His Wife Who Has Given Him 4 Children & 1 on the Way.

Yesterday, a man in his 30's came in looking for a Mother's Day present. He spent some time examining Bea and Carol's jewelry cases. When I asked him if I could show him something, he said the present was for his wife. I heard reverence in his voice when he described her. She is simple and elegant. He sifted through every piece, thoughtfully, looking for the one that was her. He finally chose a silver bracelet with eggplant-colored stones saying it would go with most of the clothes she wears (geeze, a man who knows what his wife wears).

Before he left, he told me that the Grove was his wife's favorite place and that it wasn't a far drive from the Union Trib where he works. I asked him if he survived the layoffs and he said he had. He was relieved because they are expecting their 5th child next week. Relieved he said, but not feeling any better because of all the others who lost their jobs. 200 of them. What we always have to celebrate is each other and being in the world at the same time...no matter what.

You can't tell a book by its cover.

Yesterday, Lisa Limber, a Schaefer Yarns rep, came into the shop wearing this terrific-looking Interweave sweater made up in Susan, a variegated pima cotton from Schaefer. Lisa is a prolific knitter and is always introducing me to the latest designs. This cover pattern, Diminishing Rib Cardigan, has been an instant hit on Ravelry and is currently being knit by over 200 Ravelers even though it just came out this Spring. That was surprising to me because I did not give it a second look, dismissing it as being sort of country looking (and not in a good way)! Shows you what I know!

As I view the photos on Ravelry, I'm thinking that part of it's appeal is that it looks as good on full figured women as petite women. While not designed to close in the front, several knitters have chosen to put a closure at the neck or at the waistband for a little more pizazz. The yarn choices for this pattern are endless. The first thoughts that come to my mind are Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep), Skinny Dyed Cotton or Sportweight Alpaca (Blue Sky Alpaca), Merletto or Hand-Dyed Grace (Louisa Harding). If you are going to knit one summer sweater this year, take a close look at this one!

A Lovely Knitting Story

Barbara was working on this scarf while sitting vigil during a family member's surgery. She had bought "cheap yarn" to do a practice scarf before using the Misti Alpaca Chunky that we sell. The guard, who sat outside the recovery room, was so impressed with her knitting. And, he just couldn't believe that she started and finished this scarf in the waiting room. He liked the scarf so much that Barbara decided to give it to him. She left the room and returned later to find him sitting at his post outside the recovery room wearing the ruffled scarf, tail hanging and all. How sweet is that?!#

P.S. The pattern is free on Misti Alpaca's website and is made from Chunky alpaca.

Crazy Looking Cat

Lesson learned from my first post ... never promise to share a completed project in the near future! If I hadn't promised all of you (who I am sure check this blog regularly looking for the kitty..not!), I probably wouldn't have finished this.

Lesson #2: I am not a big fan of making animals and vow to not attempt another one, no matter how cute the pattern. I tried making a monkey once because my friend thought it would be a fun knit along. I got through the first striped leg and decided it was the last thing I wanted to be working on. I was quite over it ... quite quickly. Luckily, a customer of mine discovered the same darling pattern and wanted to make it for the baby in her life. I convinced her to take the damn leg along with the yarns and, don't you know, she made a wonderful stuffed monkey, destined to become a fond childhood memory.

Now that this project is happily behind me I can return to the other three I have underway. For obvious reasons, I am not going to share these works in progress with you!

Talmadge Art Show

Although I've heard about the Talmadge Art Show, the Spring show held this weekend was the first one I've been able to attend. Many wonderful jewelers, glass artists, ceramic artists and fabric purse designers were there. I was most impressed with these gorgeous Nuno felt pillows, with saturated, vivid colors and a myriad of textures. Turns out they were Arlene Watson's, a Grove customer, knitter, and beader. I knew Arlene's beautiful scarves but hadn't seen her pillows before. I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to get better pictures, because these don't do her work justice.

Arlene has Nuno Felt Workshops scheduled in May and June. To see her work, go to www.arlenewatson.etsy.com. For information, email her at hilltopbeader@cox.net. Support your local artists!

Lemon Tree Very Pretty

This is the view directly outside the window of my little studio/office. And when I say directly, I mean directly!
If you squint, you may be able to see the top of my computer screen and the wall calendar to the right. I can literally pick a lemon by leaning over my desk and reaching out the window! Ah, the pleasures of a small space and the magic of Spring.

My gardener tells me that the hole in my birdhouse is too small for any bird to fit. That's okay by me. I just love looking at it there among the lemons.

An Idea Hatched at the Textile Show!

The best part of the textile show was seeing the 2010 fashion forecasts which highlighted a subdued palette of natural colors, smokey blues and dusty roses. I was exclaiming that we have that exact color palette in a couple of yarn lines we carry. Light bulb idea...Gasp... what if we brought in a few bolts of natural fabrics to go with the yarns! Linens to go with the organic line! And, maybe my dear friend Judy can design some simple patterns to match the sweaters, tank tops and cami's. Like Blue Sky's cropped cardigan pattern in bone with ivory Capri pants!


Well, I'm here to tell you that Judy's one to act. We left the show for L.A.'s Fashion District where we saw THE palette in linen! Judy bought enough fabric to do samples. We spent the 3-hour train ride home brainstorming ideas, with Judy sketching. We're hoping everyone likes this idea as much as we do and we're also hoping we can pull it off! What do you think?

P.S. The textile show was a bust for notions.